Andy Murray hints at retirement after winning Wimbledon opener against Australian James Duckworth

Twice former champion Andy Murray has hinted at retirement after coming from a set down to beat Australian James Duckworth in his Wimbledon opener on the first day of the tennis tournament.

At Centre Court on Monday evening, 35-year-old Murray overcame a slow start to beat 30-year-old Duckworth – and at some points looked in danger of letting the side down as he laboured on the pristine turf. 

Following his win, he told spectators: ‘It’s amazing to be back out here again with a full crowd after the last few years. It’s an amazing atmosphere.

‘Obviously I’m getting on a bit now so I don’t know how many more opportunities I’ll get to play on this court so I want to make the most of every time I get to come out here.

‘Hopefully I’ll get another match here in a couple of days.’

Encouragingly for Murray, who preserved his record of never losing in the Wimbledon first round, he appeared to be moving smoothly after being troubled by an abdominal injury that limited his grasscourt preparation.

Duckworth, who like Murray has battled back from hip surgery, had suffered eight successive Tour-level defeats stretching back to November.

Murray began to exert his authority in the third set as world number 74 Duckworth complained about the light, telling the umpire, ‘If he [Murray] asked, then they’d come on’.

Twice former champion Andy Murray has hinted at retirement after coming from a set down to beat Australian James Duckworth in his Wimbledon opener on the first day of the tennis tournament

At Centre Court on Monday evening, 35-year-old Murray overcame a slow start to beat 30-year-old Duckworth – and at some points looked in danger of letting the side down as he laboured on the pristine turf

Following his win, he told spectators: ‘ It’s amazing to be back out here again with a full crowd after the last few years. It’s an amazing atmosphere’

‘Obviously I’m getting on a bit now so I don’t know how many more opportunities I’ll get to play on this court so I want to make the most of every time I get to come out here. ‘Hopefully I’ll get another match here in a couple of days’, Murray said

The tennis player’s wife was seen wearing a ‘Rebellious Hope’ t-shirt in support for bowel cancer-stricken Deborah James on Centre Court, which are on sale to raise fund for James’s cancer research fund

Murray, who was champion in 2013 and 2016, needed no second invitation to rack up his 60th Wimbledon victory, sealing it when Duckworth opted to challenge a second serve rather than play the rally and Hawkeye showed it had hit the line

Murray admitted last week that parts of his game are still not functioning properly after suffering from a stomach injury which left him unable to hit serves and overheads in his training sessions. Pictured after his win on Monday evening

The fourth set was played with the roof closed and lights switched on, and for a while, Duckworth was re-energised as he pushed Murray hard with some aggressive hitting.

But the Scot seized on Duckworth at 4-4, breaking when his opponent dumped a second serve into the net.

Murray, who was champion in 2013 and 2016, needed no second invitation to rack up his 60th Wimbledon victory, sealing it when Duckworth opted to challenge a second serve rather than play the rally and Hawkeye showed it had hit the line.

Murray admitted last week that parts of his game are still not functioning properly after suffering from a stomach injury which left him unable to hit serves and overheads in his training sessions.

The 35-year-old Scot recovered and joined the star-studded Championships after being forced out of Queen’s last week.

Andy’s wife Kim Murray was on hand to support her husband as he made his return to the place he has won two titles

Kim was spotted supporting bowel cancer-stricken Deborah James on Centre Court.

The tennis player’s wife was seen wearing a ‘Rebellious Hope’ t-shirt in support for James, which are on sale to raise fund for James’s cancer research fund.

Deborah became an award-winning podcaster after she was diagnosed with incurable bowel cancer as part of the BBC‘s You, Me and the Big C podcast which sought to destigmatise cancer-sufferers.

Murray admitted last week that parts of his game are still not functioning properly following a stomach injury

He lost the first set 6-4 to Australian James Duckworth on his return to Centre Court as he attempts to climb rankings

Murray bounced back from the opening set – taking the second set 6-3 to send the match to a decisive third set

The 35-year-old Scot recovered from a recent stomach injury and joined the star-studded Championships after being forced out of Queen’s last week

Each sale of the £15 tee will see £7.08 go to The Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK – the pot which bears the nickname that Deborah gave herself on the podcast.

The Bowelbabe Fund, which was established after Dame Deborah announced she was having palliative care in May, aimed to raise £250,000 for cancer charities including Cancer Research UK. 

However, after touching the hearts of the nation, Dame Deborah, who is having palliative care at her parents’ house in Woking, has raised a staggering £6,739,571 – which rises to more than £7 million after gift aid is added.

She was given her Damehood at home by the Duke of Cambridge after the fund raised its millions for cancer research. 

The tennis player’s wife was seen wearing a ‘Rebellious Hope t-shirt in support for Dame Deborah

She was seen in the tee at husband Andy’s first round Wimbledon match against Australian James Duckworth

He waved to the Centre Court faithful when he arrived at the arena at which he has won two Grand Slam titles

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The Bowelbabe Fund, which was established after Dame Deborah announced she was having palliative care in May, has raised over £7m so far

Deborah was given her Damehood at home by the Duke of Cambridge after the fund raised its millions for cancer research

Kim Murray is known for her passionate displays of support for husband Andy at Wimbledon, but has decided to use her latest appearance at Centre Court to show off her support from Dame Deborah.

Andy and Kim started dating in 2005 and have been married for seven years following their Dunblane wedding in April 2015.

Murray gave a rare insight into his family life in at interview with The Times in October last year, explaining how he and Kim had coped during lockdown.

‘At the time coronavirus started I was rehabbing, and I was actually fine missing tennis, because everybody else was missing it as well,’ he said. ‘I just got to spend lots of time with my family at home.’

Although it remains to be seen how Andy will perform at Wimbledon, Kim will be cheering him regardless.

The WAGs of Wimbledon! A psychology student, Argentine model and queen bee Kim Murray lead the VERY proud partners who will be cheering on the players at SW19

• Glam tennis WAGs will be out in force as Wimbledon gets underway today
• British No. 1 Cameron Norrie will be cheered on by designer Louise Jacobi
• Australian tennis bad boy Nick Kyrgios is dating influencer Costeen Hatzi
• Tennis queens Jelena Djokovic and Kim Murray might also make an appearance

By Stephanie Linning for MailOnline

Wimbledon fans will be cheering from the stands as the two-week tennis tournament gets underway today – but no one will be more excited than the players’ proud plus-ones.

A fashion designer, a tennis ace and a gaggle of international influencers are among those who will make their way to SW19 to watch their husbands and boyfriends battle it out in Britain’s biggest tennis tournament.

Leading the way will be queen of British tennis Kim Murray, who is expected to be on hand to cheer on husband Andy as he takes on Australia’s James Duckworth in his first round match today. 

Model girlfriend: Argentine tennis ace Diego Schwartzman, nicknamed ‘Shorty’ due to his diminutive 5ft 5in stature, has been dating model Eugenia De Martino, pictured, since 2019

Power player: British tennis star Katie Boulter, left, is dating fellow ace Alex de Minaur. Right, psychology student Costeen Hatzi, who is dating Nick Kyrgios

All hail Queen Kim! The Queen of the British tennis WAGs is expected to once again take her throne when her husband returns to Centre Court this afternoon

Jelena Djokovic, wife of reigning champion Novak, could also be in the stands, although she does not attend all of her husband’s matches. 

Among those who have made the journey are Costeen Hatzi, the influencer girlfriend of Australian tennis bad boy Nick Kyrgios, and Eugenia De Martino, the model dating Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman.

Meanwhile British tennis star Katie Boulter and boyfriend Alex de Minaur will have to split their time between cheering and playing when they both take to the court for the first time tomorrow. 

COSTEEN HATZI

DATING: NICK KYRGIOS, WORLD NO. 45

Designer darling: Australian tennis bad boy Nick Kyrgios, 27, will be cheered on by his new girlfriend Costeen Hatzi, who has been travelling the world supporting her athletic beau

Returning to Wimbledon: Kyrgios, pictured at SW19, has had a number of high-profile relationships, including Russian tennis player Anna Kalinskaya and Chiara Passari

High-flying life: Psychology student Costeen, pictured, just celebrated her 22nd birthday and the pair have moved into an apartment in the inner-Sydney suburb of Zetland

Wedding bells: Nick’s Instagram is now partly devoted to sharing loved-up snaps chronicling their relationship. He has even hinted that he’s planning on popping the question, telling one fan their engagement is coming soon

Australian tennis bad boy Nick Kyrgios, 27, will be cheered on by his new girlfriend Costeen Hatzi, who has been travelling the world supporting her athletic beau. 

Kyrgios has had a number of high-profile relationships, including Russian tennis player Anna Kalinskaya and on-off girlfriend Chiara Passari.

But in December 2021, Nick went public with Costeen and his Instagram is now partly devoted to sharing loved-up snaps chronicling their relationship. 

He has even hinted that he’s planning on popping the question, telling one fan their engagement is coming soon. 

Psychology student Costeen just celebrated her 22nd birthday and the pair have moved into an apartment in the inner-Sydney suburb of Zetland. She was spotted in the stands of the Australian Open and has posted photos since arriving in London. 

Kyrgios isn’t afraid to declare his love for his brunette girlfriend, writing in a birthday post: ‘My beautiful Costeen, the most amazing person I’ve ever met. You’ve been the biggest blessing in my life and I’m so incredibly thankful that I get to call you my best friend. 

‘No matter what we do, I always get excited because I know that we are going to make every little moment enjoyable. There is nothing I love more than being able to make you laugh and seeing that amazing smile of yours. 

‘I’m so incredibly proud of how far we have come, and now to say we have a home together. I cannot wait for all our adventures, big or small, or around the world.’

The couple put on amorous displays on and off court, with Costeen often joining her beau for a kiss in front of the cameras. 

Kyrgios will face Britain’s Paul Jubb on Tuesday. 

KATIE BOULTER

DATING: ALEX DE MINAUR, WORLD NO. 27

Power player: British tennis star Katie Boulter will cheer on her boyfriend Alex de Minaur… when she isn’t playing herself

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Shared passion: Katie’s boyfriend is Australian tennis player Alex de Minaur, pictured 

Strike a pose! Katie, who has recovered from injury, shares snaps of her jet-set life on Instagram

Power couple: Katie with her boyfriend Alex de Minaur at an event at Wimbledon in May

A hug for Emma! Katie greets Emma Raducanu ahead of a training match at Wimbledon

Back on court: Boulter reached the world ranking of 82 before she was struck down with injury in April 2019 when she was part of Great Britain’s Federation Cup team. This year she returns to Wimbledon. Pictured, Katie in a training snap shared on Instagram

British tennis player Katie Boulter, 25, from Leicester, is one half of a tennis power couple. 

She confirmed she was dating Australian ace Alex de Minaur in 2021.

Boulter reached the world ranking of 82 before she was struck down with injury in April 2019 when she was part of Great Britain’s Federation Cup team.

Following the team’s victory over Kazakhstan she suffered a spinal stress fracture, side-lining her for the rest of the year.

Her rehabilitation was compounded by her battle with chronic fatigue, which she was diagnosed with as a teenager.

However this year she is back at Wimbledon, where her beau is also competing. 

‘There’s no place like home. Grateful for the opportunity,’ Katie said of her return to SW19. 

She will take on France’s Clara Burel in her first round match tomorrow. Alex de Minaur will play Bolivian Hugo Dellien.

EUGENIA DE MARTINO

DATING: DIEGO SCHWARTZMAN, WORLD NO. 15

Red hot! Argentine tennis ace Diego Schwartzman is dating model Eugenia De Martino

Small but mighty! Schwartzman is known by the nickname ‘Shorty’ due to his diminutive stature

Jet-set: In the last three months alone, Eugenia has visited Mallorca, Paris, Rome and Barcelona. Yesterday she posed up a storm in central London (right)

By his side: Little is known about Eugenia except that she is also from Argentina and is head-over-heels in love with her tennis-playing boyfriend

Argentine tennis ace Diego Schwartzman, nicknamed ‘Shorty’ due to his diminutive 5ft 5in stature, has been dating model Eugenia De Martino since 2019.

Eugenia often posts enviable photos of the pair’s adventures around the world and often shows off her svelte frame in barely-there bikinis. 

In the last three months alone, Eugenia has visited Mallorca, Paris, Rome and Barcelona. 

On Sunday, Eugenia posed up a storm in a brown tracksuit in central London, revealing that she is planning to support Diego at SW19. 

Little is known about Eugenia except that she is also from Argentina and is head-over-heels in love with her tennis-playing boyfriend. 

In a recent Instagram post, translated from Spanish, she wrote: ‘The luck of having someone who supports you in what you do and in your work, motivates you to be better and makes you believe in yourself and does not hesitate for a second, who accompanies you in everything, who helps you grow.

Never ask less. Love is that. And I found everything and more in you. Thank you for being such an unconditional partner @dieschwartzman! I love you infinite!!’

KIM MURRAY 

MARRIED TO: ANDY MURRAY, WORLD NO. 52

Biggest fan: Kim Sears (pictured) debuted an incredibly glamorous hairdo as she cheered her husband Andy Murray on at last year’s Wimbledon tournament 

Man of the hour! Andy Murray will play his first match at Wimbledon on Monday afternoon 

Out of the spotlight: Kim tends to keep a low profile, but joined her husband Andy and his family in November 2019 to attend the world premiere for Andy Murray: Resurfacing

The Queen of the British tennis WAGs is expected to once again take her throne when her husband returns to Centre Court this afternoon.

Known for her passionate displays of support, Kim is expected to bring her signature enthusiasm when she watches Andy return to Wimbledon.

The couple share four children: Edie, Sophie, Teddy, and a one-year-old daughter whose name has not been made public. 

They prefer to stay out of the spotlight and rarely attend celebrity parties, although Kim does make an exception for Wimbledon.  

Murray and Kim, who started dating in 2005, have been married for seven years following their Dunblane wedding in April 2015.

Murray gave a rare insight into his family life in at interview with The Times in October last year, explaining how he and Kim had coped during lockdown.

‘At the time coronavirus started I was rehabbing, and I was actually fine missing tennis, because everybody else was missing it as well,’ he said. ‘I just got to spend lots of time with my family at home.’

Although it remains to be seen how Andy will perform at Wimbledon, Kim will be cheering him regardless.

NINA GHAIBI

DATING: FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME, WORLD NO. 9

Brunette beauty: French Canadian player Felix Auger Aliassime has been dating Nina Ghaibi, 22, pictured, since early 2019 with the pair regularly posting photos together online.

Cheering him on: Canadian tennis ace Felix will play Maxime Cressy of the USA on Tuesday

Under the radar: Nina, pictured on holiday, keeps a lower profile than some of her fellow tennis WAGs and it is not known whether she has made the journey to London for Wimbledon

The look of love: Felix and Nina shared this sweet photograph from a trip to the Hamptons

French Canadian player Felix Auger Aliassime has been dating Nina Ghaibi, 22, since early 2019.

The loved-up couple regularly post photos together online, much to the delight of their friends, family and fans. 

British tennis star Heather Watson is among those who have shared their love for the relationship online, with many asking when the pair might get engaged.

‘Happy birthday to the one who makes all moments feel so special,’ he wrote in a heartfelt Instagram post. ‘I’m so blessed and privileged to share this life with you.’

Although the tennis tour keeps Felix busy, he always makes time for his girlfriend and whisked Nina off to Monaco for a romantic getaway shortly before Christmas. 

The couple have also enjoyed trips to New York, Morocco and the Netherlands. 

Nina keeps a lower profile than some of her fellow tennis WAGs and it is not known whether she has made the journey to London for Wimbledon. 

Felix will play Maxime Cressy of the USA on Tuesday.

LOUISE JACOBI 

DATING: CAMERON NORRIE, WORLD NO. 12

Glamorous girlfriend: Watching from the stands will be Cameron’s girlfriend Louise Jacobi, pictured left and right, a textiles designer who studied at London’s prestigious Central St Martins

Cameron Norrie during his match against Pablo Andujar on day one of the 2022 Wimbledon Championships

Loved-up: Proud Louise posts supportive posts for Cameron on her Instagram, as pictured

British No.1 Cameron Norrie, 26, will be hoping the home advantage leads him to victory as he returns to SW19 this week. 

Watching from the stands will be his girlfriend Louise Jacobi, a glamorous textiles designer who has been by his side for at least two years. 

Louise has worked for Calvin Klein as a textiles designer and now works as a textiles consultant for New York-based Please Don’t Touch.

She is a graduate of the prestigious Central St Martins in London, making it possible the couple met in the capital. 

The lithe 20-something posts about her travels on Instagram, including her romantic getaways with Norrie.

Louise was in the stands in October last year when Norrie became the first Brit to win the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California. 

The couple, who shared a kiss on court, had plenty to celebrate: as well as his new ranking and historic tournament win, Norrie took home an £880,000 cash prize. 

JELENA DJOKOVIC 

MARRIED TO: NOVAK DJOKOVIC, WORLD NO. 3

Constant support: As Novak Djokovic’s wife, Jelena has spent years supporting her husband on the tennis circuit. The couple, who met as teenagers, share two children and outlandish beliefs

Out-there: Tree-hugging Novak and his wife Jelena both have an obsessive curiosity about how best to curate their physical and mental well-being – with her sharing conspiracy theories online (pictured left and right) 

Unusual: Jelena’s blog features posts about how she learned to mediate in Ecuador, links to controversial vegan documentary Cowspiracy and shares tips on ‘how to find your true self’ (pictured with Novak) 

Loved up: Jelena and Novak continue to share loved-up photographs like this on Instagram 

As Novak Djokovic’s wife, Jelena has spent years supporting her husband on the tennis circuit.

The couple, who met as teenagers, share two children and outlandish beliefs.  

Among Djokovic’s unusual claims are that ‘Bosnian pyramids’ near Sarajevo give off a mystical energy, while positive thoughts can purify water. He was detained in Melbourne at the start of the year in a row over his vaccination status ahead of the Australian Open. 

And just like her husband, Jelena is no stranger to controversy after she shared conspiracy theories online with her thousands of Instagram followers. 

In April 2020, Instagram posted a ‘false information’ tag on her stories after she shared a conspiracy video about 5G causing coronavirus. 

She later clarified her position in a statement, insisting that she has taken an interest in the field, rather than explicitly endorsed the theory at this point as she is ‘not claiming to be true or not’.  

‘I shared the video a few days ago for one reason only – it mentions the teachings of Rudolf Steiner, which is relevant to my area of ​​interest and business, and hence my interest in this video was larger than the sea of ​​other content I get,’ the statement, shared by EssentiallySports, read. 

‘Specifically, Steiner schools and kindergartens are located in 76 countries (Waldorf schools) and for some time I have been meeting with their work and studying the curriculum. Steiner’s philosophy and work on biodynamic agriculture have encouraged me to learn more, which I have devoted myself to in recent months. 

‘So, it makes sense to me, I’m not claiming to be true or not, but I’m certainly interested in learning and getting informed about it.’     

The mother-of-two describes herself as ‘open-minded’ with a ‘never satiating hunger for knowledge’ on her blog. 

Her blog features posts about how she learned to mediate in Ecuador, links to controversial vegan documentary Cowspiracy and shares tips on ‘how to find your true self’.

ABBY QUERREY

MARRIED TO SAM QUERREY, WORLD NO. 157

Strike a pose: Model Abby, pictured, takes a sultry selfie to post on Instagram

Anniversary: Abby shared this photo in 2019 to mark a year since they tied the knot

American tennis player Sam Querrey appeared on US dating reality show Millionaire Matchmaker before finding love with his current wife Abby. 

Abby, a model, began dating Sam in 2015. The couple tied the knot three years later with their French Bulldog serving as bridesmaid. 

Fresh-faced Abby has posed for international publications such as LUCY’S Magazine and Mujerhoy and has taken to the catwalk for La Perla lingerie. 

The couple share two sons Ford, two, and 19-month-old Owen. The whole family has made the trip to the UK for Wimbledon.  

Posting a sweet sightseeing snap on Instagram last month, Abby wrote: ‘Pro tip – Take your kids sightseeing when they are too young to remember/care.’ 

The model has also shown she’s not afraid to take on internet trolls, hitting back at a man who posted an abusive comment about US player Querrey after he lost money on betting on him.’Sickening the comments people make after a loss,’ she wrote, ‘if you don’t want to lose money, don’t bet on tennis.’